Nitron NTR

[j2 lot]

What is the life expectancy of Nitrons. I got a full set of NTR in mid 2010 and have done maybe 12k miles on them and pretty sure one of the fronts is shagged. Not aware of clouting any notable potholes so guessing it is wear and tear / failure.
Is it worth getting it refurbed - likely cost?
Or am I as well just replacing it. AND if one has worn are the others likely to be on the way out too?
Pretty disappointed really I expected to fit and forget, not to be looking at suspension again so quickly. Car has done 34k total and potentially looking at 3rd set (or part of) shocks

[SAJ]

I'd take the chance to send them to Hoffman's and rebuilt to their specification. The difference in cost isn't much as far as I remember.

[Shug]

Nitron NTR's are certainly NOT fit and forget. It's a race damper at the end of the day and Nitron actually at one stage recommended a service once a year (that way they were always in warranty if a seal went) but I've not seen that in sales bumf recently They use lightweight components and seals to get the best performance. They do perform a lot better, reliability wise, than they are supposed to in most cases. I've had them on my car for probably 5 years without touching them and only now has one seal developed a bit of a weep.

[Lazydonkey]

I've had them on my car for probably 5 years without touching them and only now has one seal developed a bit of a weep.

Keith's car has moved in the last 5 years though*



*in and out of MMC doesnt count

[tut]

I had them re-furbed on N1 last year as it had been in storage for five years, the whole job including new springs cost £740.

tut

[Shug]

I had them re-furbed on N1 last year as it had been in storage for five years, the whole job including new springs cost £740.

tut

Ouch. That'll be new rods, seals and springs though?

Would only imagine Keith would need seals - is that still about £70 a damper, or has it creeped up?

[j2 lot]

Interesting Shug, I haven't seen anything suggesting they need an annual service.
I guess I need to check what is needed for the bust shock - if it is just seals then not a major issue, but if I need to do all 4 and it costs the £740 Tut paid I might be as well just getting a full set of 'Streetseries' and treating replacement as a regular outlay.

Can you buy refurb kits or do you need to send them back to Nitron?

[Shug]

Need to send them back - they are nitrogen pressurised and need re-pressurised on rebuild. I can't imagine it's more than a seal after a year and a half. Rod replacements are if they are bent or unduly scored (which just shreds the seals) - really really unlucky if they've got like that in a year.

[tut]

I told them to do what was needed, and upgraded the springs with helpers.

They were probably in poor condition, I did not see them as Craig sent them away, so a normal re-furb would be a lot less. Price for just a basic rebuild is around Shug's figure, £65 + VAT.

tut

[Ferg]

I sent a set of fronts back that I got with the car that were completely seized. Turned out they were over 10 years old. They replaced most of the shock including the body as they had to cut it open and those came in at about £160 per corner. Both Hoffmans and Nitron are supposed to be very customer friendly. My experience with Nitron was excellent. If there are any issues they phone to discuss options etc. My rears turned out to be unserviceable and had to be replaced. This was an extreme example though.

[mckeann]

everything on the shock can be replaced if required. The basic price is just an oil, seals and gas change. They are very good at telling you what needs replaced before they do it. I've bent a few piston rods in my time, and its always a shock when they tell you the price though. I only ever sent them off for refurb when required, not at yearly intervals, (although once once did they need refurbed within the year). If it was me, i'd get them all serviced at same time, not one at a time.